WAN Networks - I

Networking may be defined as interconnection of computing devices through communication channels to facilitate data sharing. As a proactive tool, network management helps to design, deploy, and maintain processes. Computer networks may be classified based on the type of networks, design, mode of connection, and topology. The types of networks are Personal Area Network (PAN), Local Area Network (LAN), Campus Area Network (CAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), and Global Area Network (GAN).

By and large, the most prominent form of network that serves as the root of all communication is the Wide Area Network, also called WAN. A WAN is a network, which spans a wide geographic area and transmits data using common communication links such as telephone lines, microwave links, and satellite channels. The Internet is the most popular and largest Wide Area Network. The key components of Wide Area Networks include access routers, the WAN connections (Analog, ISDN, DSL, Cable modem links, etc.), and security strategies. To enable direct communication between LANs communicating on a WAN, routers are used.

WAN speed is dependent on its capacity and characteristics. Although Analog and ISDN links are cost-effective, they are slow and cumbersome. Broadband DSL and cable modem links are comparatively very fast. DSL is a fine choice for WAN connectivity as they are reliable and provide high-speed connectivity. Businesses rely on a robust WAN to ensure business continuity and large companies use Broadband DSL or cable modem links to achieve speed and redundancy. Analog and ISDN links are used by small organizations for WAN connectivity. While it is a low-cost solution, the link is only temporary and requires dial-up to establish the link frequently.

WANs work on the physical layer, data link layer, and network layer, which are the lower three layers of the OSI reference model. There are various options available for WAN connectivity such as Leased Line, Circuit Switching, Packet Switching, and Cell Relay. Dataline capacity determines the speed in WANs. Wide Area Networks are used to transport data across the globe. Its major advantages include speed in connectivity and communication, sharing of resources at a secure and reliable level, enhancement of application performance and balancing, and most of all, flexibility to access and connect with people.

Large enterprises get connected to their remote offices with their own private WANs or use the Internet for connectivity. Serving as a powerful tool in the telecommunications market, networks are the reason behind the paradigm shift evident in today’s advanced technology offerings. Innovators in the technology business enable acceleration of Wide Area Network performance through a wide array of products.

WAN optimization is a crucial requisite of businesses to increase application performance, ensure continuous ‘uptime,’ avoid network outages, eventually resulting in strong business continuity. A Wide Area Network needs to be stable and robust to serve the mission critical applications of a wide customer base. With business-sensitive information being transferred across the Internet, security and reliability in WANs are other elements to be considered. A single WAN connection is not sufficient to support large amounts of data transfer in a short span of time. The process would take a longer duration amidst the network congestion. Besides, frequent network outages due to Broadband, technical snag or system failure is possible. Hence large companies opt for multiple WAN connections – combination of two or more WAN links that alleviates steering through the network traffic. Load balancing and failover capabilities are an important part of Wide Area Networks.

A Wide Area Network connection enables extensive scalability, which optimizes application performance. With the growing demand for technological appliances that enhance WANs, many technology providers endeavor to meet the needs of a wide customer base with devices that can provide high levels of WAN optimization, reliability, security, and bandwidth management. Features such as dynamic load balancing and automatic failover capabilities can increase the efficiency of WANs and thereby enable continuous uptime for businesses.